KALAMAZOO, Mich.—This fall, Western Michigan University will become the first university in Michigan, and sixth in the nation, to offer high-intensity, circuit-based F45 workout classes.

Classes will be held on the lower level of WMU's Student Recreation Center in a converted racquetball court beginning Sept. 5.

F45 stands for "functional 45," and offers a functional training workout in 45 minutes. Functional training mimics everyday movement, engaging multiple muscle groups and conditioning the total body in a single workout. It utilizes lifting, squatting, jumping, twisting, pulling, pushing, punching, kicking, rowing and cycling to burn fat and build lean muscle. F45 packs a highly effective functional training session into a 45-minute class, and with routines created from a database of more than 3,000 different exercises, participants never get the same workout twice.

F45 class at WMU's Student Recreation Center

Each day of the week has a different focus. Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays are cardio days, while Tuesdays and Thursdays focus on resistance-based training. Classes held on Saturdays and Sundays are a hybrid of cardio and resistance training.

Workouts are delivered through a series of televisions mounted on the wall, providing an organized, station-by-station diagram for the workout. A small group works together at each station, encouraging one another to successfully complete the exercises. Trained F45 instructors are present in every class to help with exercise modifications and motivation.

"This is a very exciting time at the SRC with the opening of our F45 studio approaching this fall," says Beth Northuis, assistant director of fitness and wellness programs. "F45 is a 45-minute revolutionary approach to exercise that offers an unlimited array of circuit-based workouts in a high-tech, team environment to provide a totally immersive experience that is fun, fast and gets results."

Try it for free

Free classes will be offered Sept. 5-17 to anyone with a rec center membership. After that period, classes are $3 per class, $30 monthly, $70 for the semester (F45 only) or $90 unlimited (F45 and group fitness). Western Wellness employee pricing is $3 per class, $55 for the semester (F45 only) or $75 unlimited (F45 and group fitness).

About the Student Recreation Center

WMU's Student Recreation Center is a fee-based facility that offers memberships to WMU students and faculty and staff members as well as other affiliates, including retirees. Membership is free to WMU students who have paid an enrollment fee for the current semester. Students not currently enrolled or those who haven't paid an enrollment fee, such as those taking online courses or completing internships, student teaching or field experiences, can join for a fee. Benefits-eligible employees pay only the tax on their membership fee.